Clan-Members » more this game. Hes mixing it up and throw

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Just a few games into the season, its clear 11th-ranked Xavier has some work to do closing out games.The Musketeers nearly let a 16-point second-half lead disappear, but Trevon Bluiett hit some clutch free throws late to help them pull away from Northern Iowa for a 67-59 victory in the Tire Pros Invitational championship game Sunday night.The Panthers came within five points with 1:35 left while Xaviers offense struggled, but then the Musketeers (5-0) hit 9 of 10 free throws in the final 57 seconds. That stalled the rally by Northern Iowa, which seemed poised to overcome a double-digit deficit for the second time in as many games.Id like to have those last four or five minutes back, but its so early, Xavier coach Chris Mack said. Were a little bit better in terms of finishing the game, but we still have a ways to go in that department.Bluiett converted 5 of 6 free throws after missing some critical shots earlier that helped open the door for the comeback attempt.We kind of base everything on a next-play mentality, so you cant really worry over the past plays, said Bluiett, who finished with a game-high 21 points. My teammates do a good job of kind of helping me forget about that.After going into halftime with the game tied 30-30, the Musketeers started the second strong with Bluiett and Edmond Sumner leading the way. Sumner scored 11 of his 17 points in the final 20 minutes.But once the Panthers (3-1) found their rhythm against Xaviers 1-1-3 zone and man-to-man defense, the game began to turn late. Jordan Ashton and Klint Carlson hit some big shots to bring Northern Iowa back, but the Musketeers showed poise just in time to pull away.Sometimes you get into the game and teams are maybe not what they seem like on film, but Xavier is every bit as good and in some ways even better, UNI coach Ben Jacobson said. We had a tremendous amount of respect for them even before this game and Ive got more now because they have so many ways they can beat you, offensively everybody can make plays.Now the two teams get to do it all over again when they meet Saturday at Xavier.Honestly, Im pretty excited, Bluiett said. They are good team and I think they are going to bring their A-game when they come back. They kind of have some motivation now and I think we will be ready for it, as well.BIG PICTUREN. Iowa: The Panthers are great 3-point shooters, but their shots were not falling consistently against Xavier. Morgan was the only shooter to show up on Sunday.Xavier: The Musketeers showed a variety of defenses to keep the Panthers off balance, switching from a 1-1-3 zone to man-to-man. Xavier has plenty of fire power on offense with J.P Macura and Quentin Goodin hitting big shots throughout the game.POLL IMPLICATIONSXavier: A win over previously unbeaten Northern Iowa could help the Musketeers standing.DOUBLING DOWNXavier consistently sent double teams at Northern Iowas Bennett Koch in the post in order to limit him, and it worked.Koch was just 4 of 8 from the field for 11 points and turned the ball over six times in the paint.ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMUNIs Jeremy Morgan joined Bluiett and Macura on the all-tournament team along with Oklahomas Jordan Woodard and Davidsons Jack Gibbs. Bluiett was the tournament MVP after scoring 56 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and getting seven assists over the three games. Morgan led UNI with 20 points in this one.UP NEXTN. Iowa: The Panthers travel to Cincinnati to face Xavier again on Saturday.Xavier: The Musketeers host Northern Iowa on Saturday.Saquon Barkley Giants Jersey . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Phil Simms Giants Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Darius-Slayton-Jersey/ .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Phil McConkey Womens Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Phil Simms Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others.The Winnipeg Goldeyes continue to spoil other teams home openers. The Goldeyes defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 4-1 on Thursday for their seventh straight win to open the season, their best start in franchise history. Its the third time on this road trip Winnipeg has beaten a team in their home opener. For the fourth time this season, the Goldeyes opened the scoring with a multi-run inning. They scored twice in the second off an RBI single from Nate Samson and a sacrifice fly from Amos Ramon. They made it 4-0 in the third inning, highlighted by an RBI double off the bat of Luis Alen. The Saltdogs got on the board in their half of the third, scoring once on three consecutive singles with two outs. Winnipeg had a couple chances to get the run back in the fifth, but was thrown out twice at the plate in the inning. Ryan Scoma made the first out when he broke for home on a groundball to third and Alen ended the inning when he tried tagging on a fly out to right fielder Stephen Douglas. But the Goldeyes didnt need any more offence after getting a strong pitching performance from Mark Hardy. The Campbell River, B.C. native piicked up his second straight win on the mound, going six and a third innings, while striking out nine.dddddddddddd "Hes got a lot of confidence in his slider. He feels like he can throw that pitch in any count and he throws it over the plate in quality spots," said Goldeyes pitching coach Jamie Vermilyea. "He mixed in a changeup a little bit more this game. Hes mixing it up and throwing everything for a strike." Relievers Kaohi Downing, Allen Caldwell and Chris Kissock kept the lead intact for closer Patrick Keating, who pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his third save of the year. Samson and Alen each finished two-for-four with an RBI. Leonard Davis was two-for-two before exiting the game in the fourth with a groin injury. Saltdogs starting pitcher Nathan Moreau got tagged with the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits over four innings. Lincoln pitching issued 10 walks in the game. The two teams meet Friday night at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of this four game set. All the action on TSN 1290 with play-by-play voice Paul Edmonds begins with the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. ' ' '